Temporary enclosure



Oct. 10, 1961 J. A. FERRIS 3,003,507

TEMPORARY ENCLOSURE Filed Oct. 10, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JAMES A. FERR/S BY glt E'J'LMM/ ATTORNEYS Oct. 10, 1961 J. A. FERRIS 3,003,507

TEMPORARY ENCLOSURE Filed Oct. 10, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JAMES A. FERR/S BY W10 Woiu/z/ ATTORNEYS Oct. 10, 1961 Filed Oct. 10, 1957- r Fig.5

w J- A. FERRIS TEMPORARY ENCLOSURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JAMES A. FERRIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,003,507 TEMPORARY ENCLOSURE James A. Ferris, 58 Leyton Road, Bedt'ord, Ohio Filed Oct. 10, 1957, Ser. No. 689,433 6 Claims. (Cl. 135-1) This invention relates to dismantleable enclosures and more particularly to the art of making an inexpensive, temporary and re-usable building.

According to the teaching of this invention, a framework is first formed. The framework is covered with a suitable flexible, water impervious covering. The framework, which has at least two sections, is then elevated and fiexed into an arch shaped contour to form the protective covering. A temporary structure made in this fashion can be constructed to any size and therefore is usable for inumerable applications. Examples are as a covering for a construction project such as a house, out door public gatherings, as a temporary storage building, and as an inexpensive home greenhouse.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a novel and improved temporary building structure which can be easily and readily assembled to any selected size and dismantled to usable parts after it has served its purpose.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel temporary building which is generally arch shaped and in which the risers defining the arch contour are resilient members to tension the covering and aid in supporting the building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved shelter which can be quickly assembled from r e-usable parts to fit the requirements of any job.

Another and more special object of the invention is to provide a new and novel temporary shelter which is translucent.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel arch shaped building wherein such resilient risers are anchored in position at their base and wherein the resiliency of the risers is relied upon to aid in holding the building up to tension the flexible impervious covering and tofabsorb a portion of any Wind shock, thus relieving stress on the covering material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved temporary structure having end sections of arch shaped construction in which the end sections have a framework with an impervious flexible covering. Means are provided to connect such end sections to the arch shaped central portion of the building.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel building in which plastic strips are employed as the impervious flexible covering and which strips are connected to the flexible framework.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel means of covering a framework with a flexible impervious covering, the new and novel means being by providing holes in the framework members and covering and placing connecting pins through associated holes in the covering and in the framework.

Another and related object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved grommet to surround and protect the holes in the covering.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and novel building in which a pair of vertical uprights are located at either end of the building and a pair of Winches and cables are also provided to elevate and hold the structure after it has been assembled on the ground.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method for erecting a temporary building, which method includes erecting a pair of vertical uprights,

3,003,507 Patented Oct. 10, 1951 assembling first and second framework sections which are pivotally attached to a central member, covering the sections with a flexible impervious coating, and elevating and holding the central member.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one of the novel and improved buildings;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the end and center sections assembled and ready for erection;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the building in which the center sections have been erected but not yet flexed into the finished arch shaped position;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the center member and risers extending to the two center sections;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded cross sectional view of the sections which comprise the improved grommet;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view of one of the improved grommets when connected to the plastic covering and a plan view of one of the pins used to connect the grommet and plastic to the framework;

FIGURE 7 is a plan 'view of the plastic contacting face of-one of the improved grommets;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged exploded view of one of the joints between the riser and a cross member;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged exploded view of the connection formed between a riser and the plastic impervious coating;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view showing the anchoring of one of the side sections at its base;

FIGURE 11 shows a connection formed between one of the end section risers and cross members;

FIGURE 12 shows a mechanism for connecting the impervious plastic coating to one of the end section risers; and,

FIGURE 13 disclose-s a connection between a vertical member or end section and the arched or center section.

Referring to the drawings, the construction of one of the improved buildings can best be understood by tracing the construction steps. The building is prefabricated in the sense that the sections are assembled prior to raising them. In FIGURE 2, bottom plan views of'the various building sections are shown assembled and ready for erection. In the preferred erection technique, center sections 10, 11 and end sections 12, 13 would be placed in this position prior to erection. After fabrication, the four sections are simultaneously raised. The end sections are split to permit the entire structure to be raised at once. The section 12 has first and second halves 60, 61 and the section 13' has first and second halves 62, 63.

In construction of the end sections 12, 13, end section cross members 17 are first laid in position. End section riser members 18 are laid normal to the cross members 17 and the members 17, 18 are suitably connected together. One efiicient and inexpensive means of connection is shown in FIGURE 10. There a hanger 19 is connected to the riser 18. The cross member 17 then rests in the hanger 19.

Arch shaped top members 20 maybe connected to the end section riser members 18 and the cross members 17. It will be seen that the end section is thus in the shape of an arch defined by the top members 29 and the lower of the cross members 17.

A water impervious covering is then applied to the end sections. Plastic strips 21 are excellent for this purpose. These strips 21 are best Seen in FIGURE 12. A suitable, durable, translucent material is the product manufactured by the Visking Corporation and sold under the trademark Visqueen. This product is a regenerated cellulose material with exceptionally high tensile strength and tear resistance. Apertures are formed in the sheets 21 and reinforced by rings 23. The plastic is then afllxed to the framework as by connectors 24.

In the preferred construction, a center member 25 is laid between the uprights 14, 15. The center member is preferably a cable which is drawn tight on erection. If a solid center member is used in a large building it must be unduly large to prevent bending from its own weight and connected parts.

Center section risers 26 are laid in a position normal to the center member 25. The risers 26 are laid on opposite sides of the central member 25. The risers 26 are then pivotally attached to the center member. One convenient way to form these pivotal connections is through pivot connectors 27 which are shown in FIGURE 4. The pivot connectors 27 are pivotally carried on the center member 25 where an auxiliary center member 40 and a separate cable 25' are shown. The pivot members 27 are fixed to the risers 26 as by nuts and bolts 28.

A plurality of cross members 30 are next laid normal to the risers 26 and parallel to the cable or other center member 25. The cross members 30 are connected to the risers 26 to complete the framework of the center sections 10, 11. The simple connection may be formed at the intersection of one of the risers 26 and one of the cross members 30 by the use of a screw 31 and wing nut 32, FIGURE 8. In FIGURE 8 the riser is formed in two portions which are joined at the cross member connection. This joint is held in proper alignment by the screw 31 and an auxiliary screw designated by the numeral 33.

After the risers 26 and cross members 30 have been connected, strips of flexible water impervious material 35 are connected to the framework to form a covering. These strips 35 are preferably a translucent plastic material such as previously mentioned product known as Visqueen. The strips are extended across the framework from base cross member 37 of the center section 10 to base cross member 38 of the center section 11. Preferably these strips are fixed to the risers 26. They may also be fixed to the base cross members 37, 38. They extend from one base member to the other to provide strength and water and wind resistance along the central member 25.

One of the outstanding features of the invention is achieved through the novel method of connecting the plastic strips to the framework. In FIGURES through 7, a novel and improved grommet is disclosed. The grommet has first and second portions 48, 49. The grommet portions 48, 49 have plastic contacting surfaces 56, 51 respectively. Each of the surfaces has a plurality of raised concentric plastic gripping rings 52. The first grommet portion 48 has a central aperture 53. The second grommet portion has a circular projection 54. The projection 54 extends inwardly from the plastic contacting surface 51. The projection 54 is concentric with the contacting rings 52 and the overall configuration of the second grommet half 49.

In connecting the grommet to a plastic sheet, an aperture 55, FIGURE 9, is first formed in the plastic sheet 35. The projection 54 of the second grommet half 49 is then passed through the sheet aperture 55. The first grommet half 48 is brought down against the grommet. It will be noted that the plastic contacting surfaces 50, 51 face one another and that they are each concave. The grommet portions are pressed together so that the projection 54 is pushed through the aperture 53. In the process, the grommet halves 48, 49 flatten to grip the plastic. The grommet halves are held in this position, the position of FIGURE 6, by the interaction of the first grommet half 48 outer surface 65 and a shoulder 66 on the projection 54.

A headed pin 67 is then passed through an aperture 68 which is concentrically formed in the grommet second 4 half 4?. The pin 67 is then passed through an aperture 69 formed in a riser 26, FIGURE 8. It should be noted here that the plastic sheet 35 is not shown in FIGURE 8 for clarity of illustration. A clip 70 is then passed through one of several holes 71 provided in the pin 67.

The novel and improved grommet has another outstanding purpose. The plastic strips 35 of the center section and the plastic strips 21 of the end sections may be made longer than necessary so that they overlap. They may then be joined together to provide a fluid tight arrangement between the center and end sections. This juncture of the strips 21 and 35 can be quickly and accurately accomplished with the novel and improved grommet.

The grommet firmly grips the plastic around the aperture 55 and prevents any tearing and ripping of the plastic. The grommet sections 48, 59 can be disengaged and reused. Thus, a very quick press connected grommet arrangement is provided. It will be apparent that the grommets can also be used to connect adjoining edges of the plastic strips together.

The connection disclosed and described in connection with FIGURES 5 through 8 has a further advantage. A pin 70 can be quickly removed from the headed pin 67. The headed pin 67 can then be taken out and the plastic covering may be rolled up to permit air to get into the building. Thus, for example, if the temporary building is used as a covering for an outdoor pool, the plastic can be rolled back to let in sunlight and air on warm days. It can be rolled down to cut off all or part of the wind and weather on inclement days.

The cable 40 is reeved through pulleys 41, 42 which are located at the tops of the uprights 14, 15. As shown in FIGURE 5, the cable 25' may parallel the auxiliary center member 40 and be connected to the framework as by cable connectors 43. Alternately, the cable may be in two sections connected to the auxiliary center member 40, but as previously stated it is preferred if the cable itself is the center member.

A mechanism is provided to pull on the cable 25 and thereby elevate and hold the center sections 10, 11 and the end sections 12, 13. This mechanism preferably takes the form of winches 45, 46. These winches 45, 46 are carried by the uprights 14, 15 respectively.

After the sections 10, 11, 12, 13 have been completely assembled the cable 25 is pulled in by the winches 45,46. This elevates the sections to the position shown in FIG- URE 4. It will be seen that the reason the end sections 12, 13 are made in halves 60, 61 and 62, 63 respectively is to permit them to be brought past the uprights 14, 15 when they are elevated. Next the center sections 10, 11 are flexed inwardly at their bases until they assume an arch shaped configuration of the finished building, FIG- URE 1. The bases are anchored in position. This anchoring may be achieved with anchors 48, FIGURE 10. The anchors 48 are driven in the ground and they may be fixed to the center section base cross members 37, 38.

One of the outstanding features of the invention is achieved through the flexing of the center sections 10, 11. Risers 26 are of a resilient material. They are of a material which is sufiiciently resilient to assume the arch shaped configuration of the finished building and return to their original position when the anchors 48 are removed. This flexing of the resilient risers 26 produces several outstanding results. The resiliency of the risers 26 furnishes a great deal of the strength needed to hold the building in an erected position. There is constant lift exerted against the center section 25 by the risers. Further, the plastic covering strips 35 are tensioned and drawn tight. They thus have greater resistance to wind, water, and accidental damage.

After the building center sections have been flexed into their arch shaped configuration, the end sections 12, 13 may be fixed to the edge risers which are designated by the numeral 56. A satisfactory connection is shown in FIGURE 12. There connectors 57 straddle the riser 56. The connectors 57 are then fastened to an end section riser 18 by a nut and bolt 58, 59.

It will be seen from the description that the building can be fabricated to serve a multitude of functions. It can be fabricated at its point of use out of standard, wellknown materials. The parts can be re-used as other buildings of the same or different sizes. A structure made in accordance with the teaching may serve such diverse needs as a shelter for a house which is being constructed or a dismantleable home greenhouse.

While, for clarity, the invention has been described with a great deal of detail, it is believed that it can be condensed into a few basic elements. The building has a framework with a flexible covering fixed to it and means to elevate and hold the framework and covering in a pre-selected position. This framework is flexible to permit it to be brought into an arch shaped cross section.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A temporary building comprising, a framework having first and second sections, the framework having a longitudinally extending central member, the first and second sections having a plurality of resilient risers pivotally attached to said central member, said sections also having a plurality of cross members fixed to said risers to hold said risers in appropriate spaced relationship, a plurality of flexible, water impervious, plastic strips having first and second side edges, a plurality of pins, each of said risers having a plurality of apertures therein, said pins being fixed in said apertures and fixed to said strips to fix the strips to said framework sections, first and second uprights, first and second cables reeved at the top of said uprights and connected to said central member, first and second winches, said first cable being connected to said first winch, said second cable being connected to said second winch, said winchm being operable to pull on said cables and elevate and hold said framework, said risers being flexible inwardly at the ends opposite the central member to form a building of arch shaped cross section, and anchor means to hold said building in said arched position.

2. A temporary building comprising, a framework having first and second sections, the framework having a longitudinally extending central member, the first and second sections having a plurality of resilient risers pivotally attached to said central member, said sections also having a plurality of cross members fixed to said risers to hold said risers in appropriate spaced relationship, a plurality of flexible, water impervious, plastic strips having first and second side edges, a plurality of pins, each of said risers having a plurality of apertures therein, said pins being fixed in said apertures and fixed to said strips to fix the strips to said framework sections, first and second uprights, first and second cables reeved at the top of said uprights and connected to said central member, first and second winches, said first cable being connected to said first Winch, said second cable being connected to said second winch, said winches being operable to pull on said cables and elevate and hold said framework, said risers being flexible inwardly at the ends opposite the central member to form a building of arch shaped cross ection, anchor means to hold said building in said arched position, first and second end closures, said end closures each having an arch shaped frame structure and a covering of flexible, impervious, strips of plastic, and means 6 to fix said end closures to said framework to form a closed building.

3. A temporary building comprising, first and second roof framework sections joined together along a central ridge, means connected to the ridge to raise the roof sec tions and hold them in an elevated position, a Water impervious flexible covering on said roof section frame- Work, said covering including a plurality of individual overlapping flexible strips, means separately fixing each such strip to the framework to hold the covering strips thereon and provide a cover, said roof sections being flexible to define a building of generally arch-shaped section, means associated with each of said roof sections to maintain said sections under tension in a curved flexed position, front and back upright end walls, said end walls having a framework structure and an impervious covering, said end walls each having upright arch-shaped side edges curved to the contour of the flexed roof sections, said roof sections having front and back side edges, and means fixing the side edges of said front and back end walls to the front and back side edges of the roof sections respectively.

4. A temporary building comprising, first and second spaced uprights, a cable reeved near the top of each of said uprights and extending from the first to the second upright, first and second roof framework sections pivotally attached to said cable between said uprights, a water impervious flexible covering on said roof section framework, said covering including a plurality of individual overlapping flexible strips, means separately fixing each such strip to the framework to hold the covering strips thereon and provide a cover, means to pull said cable to elevate and hold said roof sections, said sections being flexible to define a building of generally archshaped section, means associated with each of said roof sections to maintain said roof sections under tension in a curved flexed position, front and back upright end walls, said end walls having a framework structure and an impervious covering, said end walls each having arch-shaped upright side edges curved to the contour of the flexed roof sections, said roof sections having front and back side edges, and means fixing the side edges of said front and back end Walls to the front and back side edges of the roof sections respectively.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the means fixing the covering strips to the framework are repeatedly removable.

6. A temporary building, comprising, a framework having first and second sections, the framework having a longitudinally extending central member, the first and second sections having a plurality of resilient risers pivotally attached to said central member, said sections also having a plurality of cross members fixed to said risers to hold said risers in appropriate spaced relationship, said risers being flexible to define a building of generally arch shaped section, a plurality of flexible Water impervious covering strips carried by said sections, each of said strips extending laterally between at least two of the said risers and longitudinally on each section from the central member to the limit of the sections, said strips being disposed adjacently and overlapped to form a water impervious covering, means directly connecting each of said strips to at least two of said risers at spaced locations therealong, means associated with each of said sections to maintain said risers in a curved flexed position, front and back upright end walls, said end walls having a framework structure and a water impervious covering, said end walls each having arc-shaped upright side edges curved to the contour of the flexed risers, said first and second sections having front and back side edges, means fixing the side edges of said front and back end walls to the front and back side edges respectively of the first and second sections, and means to elevate said central member.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Docker Dec. 2, 1884 McCall Oct. 16, 1900 Knabenshue July 2, 1907 Vodicka Sept. 26, 1922 8 Skog May 19, 1925 Bowen Mar. 28, 1944 Church May 30, 1950 Leiby Jan. 23, 1951 White Jan. 29, 1952 Frieder et a1 Nov. 2, 1954 

